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I think I spotted an overturned cone at the 55 second mark ...

Wired magazine had a small piece about the presentation, including that video: http://www.wired.com/autopia/2014/01/bmw-builds-self-driftin...

Two in fact.

a lot of time in racing with cones they will lay one down next to another to indicate which direction to go.

source: I did a lot of autocross racing.

edit: looking at it again I'd be extremely surprised if it was anything but a direction marker.